Establishing or Joining Multi-Academy Trusts, Leeds - Speakers

Brian Lightman

Education Consultant and former General Secretary of ASCL

Brian Lightman was General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders from September 2010 - January 2016. Now a self-employed leadership specialist, he has a wide ranging portfolio which includes working with individual and groups of schools providing coaching for middle and senior leaders, professional development and support for school improvement.

Andrew Lagden

Educational Consultant

Andrew Lagden has been an independent education consultant for seventeen years. He is an education adviser for many leading national education organisations, local authorities, multi-academy trusts, academy sponsors and individual academies and schools. Additionally, he delivers high quality education leadership training on a national basis, including on the current Ofsted framework, conversion to academy and multi-academy trust status and the proposed new funding arrangements for schools.

Carol Dewhurst

Chief Executive Officer, Bradford Diocesan Academies Trust

Carol joined BDAT in April 2014 having previously worked as a team leader in the Academies programme at the Department for Education covering Yorkshire and Humber and the North West.

Nick MacKenzie

Partner, Browne Jacobson

Nick leads the education team on corporate and governance matters and also heads up the firm's Birmingham education team. He has particular expertise in developing innovative approaches to academy groups, collaborations in the education sector (including all types of college and school on collaborations and joint ventures) and Teaching Schools.

Libby Nicholas

CEO, REAch4 Academy Trust

With degrees in English & Philosophy, Libby wanted to teach and help young people. She completed her PGCE and progressed quickly from teaching English to increasingly senior roles such as Head of Year, Assistant Head, Headteacher,  and Regional Director of Education for the South & West at the Academies Enterprise Trust.

Chris Tweedale

Chief Executive, Aldridge Education

Chris Tweedale was appointed as Aldridge Education first CEO and took up the role in October 2016. Chris has previously held positions as Chief Executive of CfBT Schools Trust and  UK Director of CfBT; Director of Schools & Young People Group in the Welsh Government; and as a Deputy Director at the Department for Children, Schools and Families (now the DfE).